Winter Storms on the Waterfront

Winter on Wellington’s waterfront has its own rhythm. Long calm days, still enough to see the hills reflected in the harbour, give way to southerlies that turn the water white and throw spray over the sea walls. Most storms pass with nothing worse than a wild night and some debris on the promenade. A few do real damage. The harbour has a long memory of bad weather: the 1968 storm that sank the inter-island ferry Wahine at the harbour entrance is still the one older Wellingtonians measure others against.

Living close to the water means taking storms seriously without losing sleep over them. That starts with knowing what the forecasters are saying.

Reading MetService warnings

MetService issues severe weather watches and warnings for heavy rain, strong wind and heavy snow using a colour-coded system:

• Yellow watch. Severe weather is possible, but not yet certain enough, or detailed enough, for a warning. Stay alert and keep an eye on updates.
• Orange warning. Severe weather is expected to meet MetService’s criteria. Be prepared and take action, as there may be some disruption and risk to people and property. Most warnings are at this level.
• Red warning. Reserved for the most extreme events, where significant impact and disruption are expected. Act now.

Red warnings were introduced in 2019 and are rare. For a Wellington waterfront home, orange strong wind and heavy rain warnings are the ones you will see most often. MetService also issues outlooks a few days ahead, which give an early sense of what may be coming.

Wind warnings are worth extra attention on the waterfront. Gusts are channelled and accelerated around buildings and along the harbour edge, and exposed balconies can feel much rougher than the official forecast suggests. The Wellington forecast page shows expected gust speeds as well as average wind.

Before the storm

When a watch or warning is issued, a short checklist is enough for most homes:

• Clear the balcony. Bring in or tie down furniture, pot plants, barbecues and anything else that could become airborne. A plastic chair lifted off a high balcony is a genuine hazard to people below.
• Check balcony and deck drains. Leaves and debris block outlets, and a blocked drain in heavy rain can push water back under doors.
• Close and latch windows. Make sure stays and latches are properly engaged, not just pulled to.
• Secure vehicles and bikes. Move cars away from trees if possible, and bring bikes indoors.
• Have the basics ready. A torch, charged phone, some water and food, and any medicines, in case the power goes out.

In apartment buildings, building managers often send reminders when a warning is issued. Follow their instructions, particularly about shared outdoor areas and roof access.

Stay off the promenade

Storm waves on the waterfront are exciting to watch, but they are dangerous. Waves can overtop sea walls and wharf edges without warning, and the backwash is strong enough to knock someone over. Watch from inside, and keep children and pets well back from the edge.

After the storm: checking the outside

Once the weather has passed and it is safe, a walk around the outside of the building is worthwhile. Look for:

• Loose or lifted cladding. Strong wind can lift weatherboards, panels or flashings, particularly at corners and edges.
• Roofing and flashings. From the ground or a safe window, check for lifted sheets, displaced ridge capping or damaged flashings. Do not climb onto a roof yourself.
• Gutters and downpipes. Check for blockages, damage or brackets pulled away from the wall.
• Sealants and joints. Look around windows, doors and penetrations for cracked or failed sealant, which can let water in during the next storm.
• Signs of water inside. Stains on ceilings, damp patches near windows, or swollen skirting can point to a leak. Catch these early.
• Salt and debris. A storm leaves a heavy coat of salt on harbour-facing surfaces. A rinse with fresh water within a few days helps protect paint, glass and metal.

New Zealand’s Building Code requires buildings to keep out water from outside, under clause E2 External moisture. Storms are when any weak point in that defence gets tested, so post-storm checks are a good early warning system.

Who fixes what

In a unit title building, the body corporate is usually responsible for common property and building elements, which often includes the exterior envelope. Report damage to the building manager or body corporate promptly. Photograph it with dates, as insurers will ask. For your own unit’s interior and contents, contact your own insurer.

Any repairs at height, on roofs, or involving the building’s structure are jobs for qualified trades. A ladder in a gusty aftermath is a bad idea, and working at height is exactly where serious falls happen.

Winter’s other side

For all the drama, winter is also when the harbour is often at its most beautiful: clear frosty mornings, snow on the Remutaka Range, and long, still evenings. A little preparation before each storm and a careful look around afterwards means you can enjoy those days without worrying about the last southerly. For more on how wind shapes building design here, see our notes on Wellington wind and weathertightness.